Jetta jumps ship for greater glory

Star Carey Park footballer Graham Jetta is leaving the club with the blessing of new coach Jamie Nani as he chases WAFL life membership.

The Hayward Medal runner-up joins Harvey Bulls big man Andrew McDougall in officially confirming they would not be returning to the South West Football League in 2016.

Jetta, who is the brother of fellow Panther Brandon and new West Coast Eagle Lewis, will return to Swan Districts where he spent six seasons and has played 105 league games.

Newly-appointed Panthers coach Nani said it was a shame to lose a player of Jetta's quality but encouraged his star to pursue his WAFL career and qualify for life membership at Swans.

"It's always disappointing but I'm not going to knock someone going back to this level," he said.

"I encouraged him and said 'if you don't do it now, you never will'."

Jetta will be a big loss for the beaten grand finalists, having led the Hayward Medal count for much of the night.

He also won the _South Western Times _ Medal for the best SWFL player at the Landmark Carnival and was also awarded the prestigious Jock Coleman Trophy for the best player in division one.

Nani, who has taken over from John Baggetta after coaching Carey Park's reserves and the SWFL's Landmark Carnival team this year, said they were looking at players but nothing would be confirmed until closer to the season.

The Panthers are not expected to start their preseason until January and Nani said he was optimistic about the season ahead.

"I'm confident with a group of guys we have aged between about 21 and 25 who have played between 30 and 50 games," he said.

"There's probably about 20 to 30 guys in that group who can take the next step.

"We also have a number of reserves players who are better than playing in the twos."